The prime minister's statement comes after a reportedly tense conversation with German Chancellor Fredrich Merz regarding Germany's halting of military aid to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserted that the IDF would only be expanding operations to demilitarize Hamas in a statement on X/Twitter on Friday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told German Chancellor Friedrich Merz that Israel's goal is not to take over Gaza, but to free Gaza from Hamas and enable a peaceful government to be established there,

International allies and families of hostages condemned Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to take control of Gaza City, with the British prime minister calling it “wrong.”